2011 Press Releases

Draft form-based codes part of big year ahead for downtown Fresno The next 12 months will be exciting times for the future of downtown Fresno. We have done a tremendous amount of planning and preparation over the past 18 months that will lead to action in the next year. One of the first big milestones came last week with the release of the draft of the new form-based codes for downtown Fresno, which is available for public comment at www.fresnodowntownplans >more

Mayor Ashley Swearengin today presented her vision for the City of Fresno in her annual State of the City address. The text of the speech as prepared for delivery follows: Thank you, Council President Brand, for that introduction. It’s a pleasure to join all of you today as we gather with a thousand of our closest friends to talk about the state of our City. >more

Mayor’s State of the City address will highlight the week Mayor Swearengin will share her vision for the City of Fresno at the annual State of the City event at the New Exhibit Hall of the Fresno Convention Center on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m >more

Budget workshops and hearings will dominate the week This week will be dominated by City Council workshops and hearings focusing on Mayor Swearengin’s proposed fiscal year 2012 budget. The challenging economic times require difficult and prudent decisions, and these meetings are an important opportunity for council members and the public to participate in that decision-making process . Here is the schedule of council budget workshops this week to be held in council chambers as well as dates for other important actions: Monday, May 23 – (8:30 a.m >more

Thank you for your interest in the City of Fresno Fiscal Year 2012 budget.The link below will take you to the Budget section of the City website where you will find the following helpful items in the right column (in this order): A picture link to the entire document of the Mayor's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 A link to the video of the Mayor's Proposed Budget presentation to the City Council on 5/19/11 A link to a PDF of the powerpoint used for the City Council presentation And finally, a link to the budget workshop schedule where the City Council will review the budget department by department in a public forum. Click Here. >more

*City Would Achieve Structural Balance in Operating Budget under Recommended Plan Mayor Ashley Swearengin today presented two budget scenarios to address a projected $18.5 million shortfall in the fiscal year 2012 budget, including a recommended plan in which the City would achieve structural balance in its operating budget for the first time in eight years. Speaking at a City Hall news conference, Mayor Swearengin said the scenarios presented to council are: Scenario 1 (Scenario recommended by Swearengin administration) · Assumes a 3 percent across-the-board salary concession from all City employees and the creation of a commercial solid waste franchise. · The concessions would generate $3 million in savings for the General Fund; the commercial solid waste franchise would provide about $1 >more

It’s budget time – again! Here is an indication of the extraordinary economic times that we live in: The City of Fresno has historically prepared and adopted one budget per year. However, from fiscal year 2009 through the adoption of the fiscal year 2012 budget, the City will have gone through the development of seven major annual, mid-year and year-end budget plans in an effort to respond quickly to changing economic trends.Beginning with mid-year cuts in 2009 and including reductions in the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget, the City of Fresno has had to address a nearly $100 million budget shortfall. >more

The City of Fresno’s Development and Resource Management Department, in collaboration with the California State Office of Historic Preservation and the City of Fresno’s Historic Preservation Commission, will hold a workshop/training session on historic preservation on Friday, April 29. The session will be held in Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p >more

With metered water rates on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to begin conserving water by incorporating water-wise plants and efficient irrigation techniques in your landscapes and gardens. The Water-Wise Plant Exchange on May 7 at the Fresno State Horticulture Greenhouses is the perfect opportunity to pick up some drought-resistant plants, for free, and learn how to save water in your yards. Home gardeners are encouraged to donate water-wise plants at the exchange, from 8 a.m >more

In preparation for the large number of visitors anticipated at Fresno’s regional parks for the Easter holiday, the City of Fresno Department of Parks, After School, Recreation & Community Services (PARCS) will maintain extended hours of operation for Roeding, Woodward and the Regional Sports Complex on Sunday, April 24, 2010. The entrances to each regional park will be opened and staffed beginning at 6 a.m. >more